Frequently Asked Questions about CMU

CMU's main campus is conveniently located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, a progressive city of about 25,000 residents in scenic Northern Michigan. To the north and west are the lakes, streams, ski resorts, beaches and magnificent wilderness areas for which Michigan is famous.

Mount Pleasant is a classic college town, with a quaint downtown district which features specialty stores and boutiques of all types. These shops are within walking distance of campus. While this community is fond of its classic appeal, it also is proud of its many modern facilities. New governmental buildings, numerous churches, a modern hospital, a large community library, developed parks and convenient shopping plazas blend comfortably with Mount Pleasant's heritage.

Students entering CMU from other areas will be able to truly experience all four seasons in Mount Pleasant! Our fall semester will begin with warm days and cool nights and gradually turn into the cooler autumn days. Although it may begin before leaving campus, by the time students return from their holiday break in January, campus will be transformed into a winter wonderland. As the semester comes to an end and many students head home for the summer break, we are once again enjoying the warm sunshine and beautiful colors of spring! Activities will take place year round on campus and because nothing is beyond walking distance all students are able to enjoy campus life!

CMU is a multifaceted national university that offers students more than 200 programs at the Bachelor's, Master's, Specialist's, and Doctoral levels. CMU has 8 distinct colleges in which students can actively pursue specific academic areas of interest.

Central Michigan Normal School opened its doors on Sept. 13, 1892, with 31 students attending classes in a rented building in downtown Mount Pleasant. The school grew quickly, and by 1918 it had become a four-year public college with 450 students attending classes on a campus that consisted of 25 acres and five buildings.

Central Michigan University has evolved into a doctoral research public university that is ranked among the best in the Midwest. CMU provides its growing student population with modern facilities and technology, faculty who are dedicated to student-centered teaching and research, and a selection of more than 170 programs at the bachelor's, master's, specialist's and doctoral levels.

We encourage you to apply online as this will speed the processing of your application and allow you to track its progress online. If you would still like to obtain a blank, printable version of an application form, please select from the following options:

For undergraduate applicants (high school graduates, students transferring from other universities, etc.) desiring to come to CMU's main campus in Mount Pleasant, MI, please visit our page dedicated to main campus undergraduate applicants. You will find a link to a printable version in the FAQs section at the bottom of the page.

For international applicants desiring to apply to CMU's main campus in Mount Pleasant, MI, please visit our page dedicated to international applicants. You will find a link to a printable version in the FAQs section at the bottom of the page.

FAQs

If you prefer to submit a paper application you may request one by contacting our Admissions Office at 1-888-292-5366 or cmuadmit@cmich.edu. Freshmen must complete an application and submit it online or by mail to CMU along with your transcripts. You must also include your $35 application fee, and have ACT/SAT test results sent. Entering freshmen are encouraged to apply early in the fall of the senior year.

Transfer students are encouraged to apply six months prior to the start of the term they wish to enter, and supply CMU with official records from all other institutions attended. Transfer students with less the 30 earned credit hours at the time of application will also be required to supply high school transcripts.

Students are encouraged to bring the above information with them when they visit Central Michigan University. We will review the information and make an admissions decision within a 24-hour period.

A solid academic background will help prepare you for success at the college level. To be ready for this challenge, we stress high academic achievement in several rigorous subjects. Central Michigan University and the Presidents Council of State Colleges and Universities strongly recommend the following high school background:

4 years of English

4 years of Mathematics

4 years of Biological and physical sciences

4 years of History and social sciences

In addition, high school students are strongly encouraged to complete two years of foreign language and two years of electives in fine arts and have one year of hands-on computer experience.

Although an admissions essay is not required, applicants may send a separate sheet to provide any information we should consider in reviewing your application and records for admission to CMU Admissions, Warriner Hall 102, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859. You may wish to include extracurricular and leadership activities, including employment. You may also wish to explain special situations or circumstances that may have had an impact on your academic record in high school or at another college or university.

Each application is reviewed individually on its own merit. Students are encouraged to visit with an Admissions Advisor to discuss admissions standards and their academic record. For more information or to schedule an appointment call Admissions toll free at 1-888-292-5366.

Our average incoming freshman has a cumulative GPA of 3.3 and a composite ACT score of 22. At your junior year's end we are hoping you have completed three years of English, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. We recommend that you take at least three academic classes your senior year in any of the four areas just mentioned. We also consider the trend in your grades. For example, if you didn't do well your freshman year, we hope to see an upward trend in grades since then.

The minimum GPA requirement for transfer students is a 2.5. If you have earned less than 30 credit hours, you will also need to provide us with a copy of your official high school transcript.

You are more than welcome to submit your application for review at any time. CMU grants admission on a rolling basis, meaning that we will admit students for the next available semester of study as applications arrive. We highly recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible! You may apply online or we can mail you an application with any other materials you request. You may submit an information request to our office e-mail at cmuadmit@cmich.edu.

Although we don't require an essay for admission consideration we highly encourage students to submit an essay, resume or activities sheet highlighting their high school involvements.

Central Michigan University typically receives 15,000 applications for a freshmen class of 3,700. Prospective freshmen are encouraged to apply early in the fall of their senior year. Transfer students are encouraged to apply six months prior to the start of the term in which they wish to begin their studies at Central Michigan University.

Applicants usually are notified of their admission status within four weeks after we receive a completed application, application fee and academic records. Each application receives individual attention. The admission process takes into account the following: academic achievement in the most demanding subjects, ACT or SAT scores, caliber of high school program, school official recommendations, exceptional talents, involvement beyond the classroom, leadership potential, record of good citizenship, overall academic achievement, pre-CMU course selections and trends in academic progress.

After the four week period of allowing for application review, if you have not received an admissions response you may check the status of your application on Track My App or by contacting us at 1-888-292-5366 or cmuadmit@cmich.edu. If you choose to check on your status via e-mail, please provide us with your full name and date of birth.

Mailing Address

FAQs

Yes, until the application is submitted you may return to the application site, log in using your email address and password, and modify the application. Once submitted, you may update the application by uploading a file or emailing us at cntrsvc@cmich.edu.

There are two ways to search for a program. Select by Center, choose a location and a list of available programs will appear. Select by Program, choose a program and a list of centers offering that program will appear.

We are able to obtain your CMU records internally. We will also be able to obtain copies of transcripts from transfer institutions if you attended CMU within the past 12 months. If you transferred credits into CMU and haven’t attended in one year or more, you must request official transcripts from your transfer institutions be sent to the College of Graduate Studies.

We are able to accept transcript from the applicant. The transcript must in an envelope stamped and sealed by the university. We cannot accept transcripts that have been removed from the original envelope. In addition, we cannot return documents. We do not suggest submitting your only copy because we cannot return it to you.

Office of International Affairs

Phone & Email

Mailing Address

FAQs

CMU's main campus is conveniently located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, a progressive city of about 25,000 residents in scenic Northern Michigan. Mount Pleasant is approximately 70 miles north of Lansing, about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.

CMU is a nationally distinguished university with 27,452 students statewide and beyond. CMU enrolls approximately 19,917 students on the main Mount Pleasant campus. There are international students from over 60 countries represented on campus.

Central Michigan University offers an online interactive campus map from which you can learn more about campus life.

If you are in the Mount Pleasant area and would like to meet with us please contact the Office of International Affairs at (989) 774-4308 or e-mail us at intlapp@cmich.edu.

You must submit your application online; paper applications are no longer accepted. To complete an application online, you will first be asked to create a user name and password. Your user name will be your email address, so you must have an email address that has not already been used by another applicant.

If you do not have an email address, please create an email account using Gmail, Yahoo, or any other free email account service of your choice.

Students are encouraged to apply 4 months prior to the semester they plan to attend.

A solid academic background will help prepare you for success at the college level. To be ready for this challenge, we stress high academic achievement in several rigorous subjects. Generally, we consider applicants with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Central Michigan University and the President’s Council of State Colleges and Universities strongly recommend the following high school background: 3-4 years of English, 3-4 years of Mathematics, 3-4 year of Biology & Physical Sciences.

The following documents are required for admission:

An International Undergraduate OR English Language Institute application (available online https://apply.cmich.edu/)

If you plan to earn a bachelor’s degree from CMU, but need ESL courses, you ONLY need an International Undergraduate application (you do NOT need an English Language Institute (ELI) application).

$35 application fee

An original financial statement, such as a bank statement or bank letter, showing a final balance of $30,498 USD, as evidence of your ability to support your studies for one year. Must be in English or have an official copy of the English translation.

An official financial support form or letter signed by sponsor

Official high school transcripts (plus an official English translation)

Country Specific high school test results (Countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, & Caribbean are required to submit these )

Proof of English Proficiency by ONE of the following:

Citizen of TOEFL exempt country (list is available when you apply online)

3 or more years at a U.S. High School (must be in the U.S.)

Completed 24 credits or more at a U.S. university or college (ESL courses & credits are excluded)

TOEFL score of 79 iBT or 550 PBT (This must be an official paper copy sent directly by ETS)

IELTS score of 6.5 (This must be an official paper copy sent by the testing agency)

Undergraduate Bridge Program

If you have not taken TOEFL/IELTS or have lower results than what is required, you can apply as an undergraduate and take the English Proficiency Test when you arrive.

Copy of your passport

Official university transcripts from ALL universities/colleges you have attended (plus an official English translation)

A course description or syllabus for each non-U.S. universities/colleges course (needed for transfer credit only. Unofficial English translation accepted). This is not needed if you attended a U.S. university/college.

Proficiency in the English language is required for “regular” admission status ONLY. English proficiency is not required for admission to our Undergraduate Bridge Program or English Language Institute.

If you meet one of the following criteria, you qualify for regular admission, which means you can enroll in full-time academic course work. No ESL will be required if you meet ONE of the following criteria:

Citizenship from a TOEFL exempt country

Three or more years at a U.S. High School (must be in the U.S.)

Completed 24 credits or more at a U.S. university or college (ESL courses & credits are excluded) and have earned a minimum 2.5 GPA

TOEFL score of 79 iBT or 550 PBT

IELTS score of 6.5

Applicants who have taken the TOEFL or IELTS should request an official report be sent to the Office of International Affairs, International Undergraduate Admissions.

Applicants who have not taken or have received a low score on the TOEFL or IELTS may apply to the Undergraduate Bridge Program (similar to conditional admission) or to the English Language Institute (ELI). Applicants admitted to either program will be required to take a placement test before enrolling in classes. The placement test is administered by the ELI to determine English language proficiency levels.